HOUSTON, TX – The Astros have claimed right-hander Oliver Ortega off waivers from the Minnesota Twins. Ortega, 27, was on the Twins 60-Day IL and will remain on the Astros’ 60-Day IL (left lumbar strain) following his acquisition.

Ortega made 10 relief appearances with the Twins this season, going 0-1 with a 4.30 ERA (7ER/14.2IP) and a .204 opponent’s batting average (11x54). He spent the bulk of his season with Triple A St. Paul and went 3-1 with a 1.82 ERA (7ER/34.2IP) and five saves in 24 appearances. His 1.82 ERA with Triple A St. Paul ranked 6th among International League pitchers (min. 30 IP). The Twins claimed Ortega off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels prior to the 2023 season. He made his Major League debut with the Angels in 2021 and made a career-high 27 appearances with them in 2022, going 1-3 with a 3.78 ERA (14ER/34IP) and five holds that season.

Through 45 appearances (all in relief) at the Major League level, Ortega has gone 2-4 with a 4.03 ERA (26ER/58IP) and one save. He was originally signed by the Angels as an international free agent in December 2014.